Selwo Hills, Costa del Sol?
Aug 2nd 2004, 8:32 am
#61
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 27
Im sorry to say this Portemitre but the last we heard about the pool was that it may not open until next year. We heard the grass would be damaged with people walking across it and it would be expensive to re-turf so they are considering keeping the pool closed to give it a chance to establish.
When we visited last week we walked to the beach each afternoon, it takes about 15 mins and there is a beach bar/restaurant there that sells freshly cooked fish, it is extremely cheap (5 euros for a plate of freshly cooked sardines). The people are spanish and very friendly. Our children loved it because they were able to play on the beach while we watched from the bar and then they ran back with sandy feet and sat and ate with us watching the sea, it was lovely!
Also, we were told that there is a municipal pool around the back of the apartments. We were told the last day so didnt have an opportunity to go there. Appartently it is inland near the new golf course they are building at the back of the apartments and some residents have been using that.
We are in 1421 and will also be visiting at the end of August so may see you there.
Jackie and Carl
When we visited last week we walked to the beach each afternoon, it takes about 15 mins and there is a beach bar/restaurant there that sells freshly cooked fish, it is extremely cheap (5 euros for a plate of freshly cooked sardines). The people are spanish and very friendly. Our children loved it because they were able to play on the beach while we watched from the bar and then they ran back with sandy feet and sat and ate with us watching the sea, it was lovely!
Also, we were told that there is a municipal pool around the back of the apartments. We were told the last day so didnt have an opportunity to go there. Appartently it is inland near the new golf course they are building at the back of the apartments and some residents have been using that.
We are in 1421 and will also be visiting at the end of August so may see you there.
Jackie and Carl
Aug 4th 2004, 9:25 pm
#62
Just Joined
Joined: Jul 2004
Location: New England USA
Posts: 9
Originally posted by ttbr2004
Im sorry to say this Portemitre but the last we heard about the pool was that it may not open until next year. We heard the grass would be damaged with people walking across it and it would be expensive to re-turf so they are considering keeping the pool closed to give it a chance to establish.
When we visited last week we walked to the beach each afternoon, it takes about 15 mins and there is a beach bar/restaurant there that sells freshly cooked fish, it is extremely cheap (5 euros for a plate of freshly cooked sardines). The people are spanish and very friendly. Our children loved it because they were able to play on the beach while we watched from the bar and then they ran back with sandy feet and sat and ate with us watching the sea, it was lovely!
Also, we were told that there is a municipal pool around the back of the apartments. We were told the last day so didnt have an opportunity to go there. Appartently it is inland near the new golf course they are building at the back of the apartments and some residents have been using that.
We are in 1421 and will also be visiting at the end of August so may see you there.
Jackie and Carl
Im sorry to say this Portemitre but the last we heard about the pool was that it may not open until next year. We heard the grass would be damaged with people walking across it and it would be expensive to re-turf so they are considering keeping the pool closed to give it a chance to establish.
When we visited last week we walked to the beach each afternoon, it takes about 15 mins and there is a beach bar/restaurant there that sells freshly cooked fish, it is extremely cheap (5 euros for a plate of freshly cooked sardines). The people are spanish and very friendly. Our children loved it because they were able to play on the beach while we watched from the bar and then they ran back with sandy feet and sat and ate with us watching the sea, it was lovely!
Also, we were told that there is a municipal pool around the back of the apartments. We were told the last day so didnt have an opportunity to go there. Appartently it is inland near the new golf course they are building at the back of the apartments and some residents have been using that.
We are in 1421 and will also be visiting at the end of August so may see you there.
Jackie and Carl
Aug 4th 2004, 9:27 pm
#63
Just Joined
Joined: Jul 2004
Location: New England USA
Posts: 9
Originally posted by portemitre
M and E
Aug 5th 2004, 8:31 pm
#64
Just Joined
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12
We are going out next week and Ed checked with Probinesa today. they are hoping to get a licence for the pool in September. The lifts are not yet working - no permit for lifts apparently.
We'll let you know how we find things when we return end of August.
Does anyone know if the problems with the AC have been resolved
Linda and Ed
We'll let you know how we find things when we return end of August.
Does anyone know if the problems with the AC have been resolved
Linda and Ed
Aug 10th 2004, 11:46 am
#65
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 27
Re: Selwo Hills, Costa del Sol?
Originally Posted by nazarko
We are going out next week and Ed checked with Probinesa today. they are hoping to get a licence for the pool in September. The lifts are not yet working - no permit for lifts apparently.
We'll let you know how we find things when we return end of August.
Does anyone know if the problems with the AC have been resolved
Linda and Ed
We'll let you know how we find things when we return end of August.
Does anyone know if the problems with the AC have been resolved
Linda and Ed
When we were out there a couple of weeks ago the engineers were visiting various properties trying to fix the air conditioning.
Jackie and Carl
Aug 10th 2004, 1:12 pm
#66
Just Joined
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 10
Re: Selwo Hills, Costa del Sol?
Here is my recent letter to Oscar Garcia at Proibinsa to demonstrate solidarity! Does any one know what the e250 contribution for gardens was for? After a long hot wait to sign we didn't ask this at the time unfortunately.
Dear Sir,
Selwo Hills I
We have recently purchased an apartment in Block 3. We are very pleased with the finish of the apartment and look forward to spending time there.
But like many other buyers we are bitterly disappointed by the pools and landscaping. Many of us were attracted by the proposed landscaping which was of a type to be found in other “up market” developments in the area and matched the standard of the buildings. What we have is appropriate to a much lower standard of development. While the plants and paths will be attractive when finished they do not compensate for a single small pool which, as many have pointed out, is unsuitable for children and for the lack of decorative water features.
We cannot understand why Proibinsa has opted for such a cheap form of landscaping when the apartments are so well finished. This is also seen in the use of tufts of grass round the pool rather than turf or even better the special hard wearing grass found in other developments or paving. We can therefore see continual problems with the space around the pool which could have been avoided with quite a small extra investment by Proibinsa.
The standard of landscaping is likely to hit resale prices. And already prospective purchasers of Selwo Hills II have found the website on which the problems at Selwo Hills I are discussed and are asking us for more details. Surely not the sort of publicity Proibinsa wants.
As a minimum we suggest that while the gardens are still unfinished Proibinsa installs an additional children’s pool near each main pool. These being small and shallow will presumably not cost a great deal and would remove one of the main problems.
We would also like to know what has happened to the fee of e250 paid to Proibinsa in respect of the gardens when we signed the contracts. This will amount to over e250,000 for the complex. On what will this be spent given that Proibinsa is responsible for the landscaping and planting of gardens?
Jude and Dave McLaggan
Dear Sir,
Selwo Hills I
We have recently purchased an apartment in Block 3. We are very pleased with the finish of the apartment and look forward to spending time there.
But like many other buyers we are bitterly disappointed by the pools and landscaping. Many of us were attracted by the proposed landscaping which was of a type to be found in other “up market” developments in the area and matched the standard of the buildings. What we have is appropriate to a much lower standard of development. While the plants and paths will be attractive when finished they do not compensate for a single small pool which, as many have pointed out, is unsuitable for children and for the lack of decorative water features.
We cannot understand why Proibinsa has opted for such a cheap form of landscaping when the apartments are so well finished. This is also seen in the use of tufts of grass round the pool rather than turf or even better the special hard wearing grass found in other developments or paving. We can therefore see continual problems with the space around the pool which could have been avoided with quite a small extra investment by Proibinsa.
The standard of landscaping is likely to hit resale prices. And already prospective purchasers of Selwo Hills II have found the website on which the problems at Selwo Hills I are discussed and are asking us for more details. Surely not the sort of publicity Proibinsa wants.
As a minimum we suggest that while the gardens are still unfinished Proibinsa installs an additional children’s pool near each main pool. These being small and shallow will presumably not cost a great deal and would remove one of the main problems.
We would also like to know what has happened to the fee of e250 paid to Proibinsa in respect of the gardens when we signed the contracts. This will amount to over e250,000 for the complex. On what will this be spent given that Proibinsa is responsible for the landscaping and planting of gardens?
Jude and Dave McLaggan
Aug 13th 2004, 5:40 pm
#67
Just Joined
Joined: Jun 2004
Location: Sevilla
Posts: 9
Re: Selwo Hills, Costa del Sol?
Dear Jude and Dave
The original 250 euros has gone into the Community account to give us an opening balance for any work that needs doing immediately. This was confirmed by the Administrator at the meeting.
Regards
Andy Ramage
The original 250 euros has gone into the Community account to give us an opening balance for any work that needs doing immediately. This was confirmed by the Administrator at the meeting.
Regards
Andy Ramage
Aug 16th 2004, 1:14 pm
#68
Just Joined
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3
Re: Selwo Hills, Costa del Sol?
Hello all.
Well things are still moving very slowly here as you would expect. Gardens looking more like the invasion of the hedgehogs. Pools looking like bowling greens. No sign of the licence which was ready for collection on the 11th June (according to Karina when we were in the Notary's office). The pool thing has taken a new direction. It looks like there is a possiblity that we may be having a new one if 60% agree to paying for it. 100k euros seems to be the figure. A kids play area is also on the cards in front of block 9. I personally would like a paint ball asault course but don't think I would recieve much support!
What do you think about us not being able to use the pools until next year? We would prefer for them to be commissioned as soon as we receive the licence, it would be good to have a dip before 2005 (as well as a game of table tennis) don't you think? And what about those of you who have rentals later in the year - are your visitors expecting a pool?
We look forward to your views.
We are resident here at Selwo, if you would like to contact us, our e-mail address is [email protected].
Kind Regards
Pete and Sandra Rogers
Well things are still moving very slowly here as you would expect. Gardens looking more like the invasion of the hedgehogs. Pools looking like bowling greens. No sign of the licence which was ready for collection on the 11th June (according to Karina when we were in the Notary's office). The pool thing has taken a new direction. It looks like there is a possiblity that we may be having a new one if 60% agree to paying for it. 100k euros seems to be the figure. A kids play area is also on the cards in front of block 9. I personally would like a paint ball asault course but don't think I would recieve much support!
What do you think about us not being able to use the pools until next year? We would prefer for them to be commissioned as soon as we receive the licence, it would be good to have a dip before 2005 (as well as a game of table tennis) don't you think? And what about those of you who have rentals later in the year - are your visitors expecting a pool?
We look forward to your views.
We are resident here at Selwo, if you would like to contact us, our e-mail address is [email protected].
Kind Regards
Pete and Sandra Rogers
Aug 17th 2004, 7:37 pm
#69
Just Joined
Joined: Jul 2004
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 16
Re: Selwo Hills, Costa del Sol?
Hi everyone at Selwo Hills,
We are still very disappointed at the lack of action with the pools and especially with the delaying tactics by Proibinsa. Yes we say tactics because we firmly believe that is the game they are playing.
If the committee will accept the responsibiliy of the grounds from Proibinsa as they now stand, I will guarantee that Proibinsa would have the Pool License presented to the Estepona council, signed sealed and delivered faster than you could say Jack Robinson.
So until we tow their line and sign for the responsibility of the grounds we have to endure the turbid state of the pools.
OR........we could consult an independent Lawyer who would give us an unbiased opinion of the situation.
We have to consider that our Administrator was presented to us by Proibinsa and she is hardly likely to bite the hand that feeds her.
She has never answered my e-mail to her, but I believe she has told someone that she has written to Proibinsa about the lack of a childrens pool, but has received no response. Well isn't that a surprise!! and what a lot of effort it must have been to write that letter. Has anyone ever seen a copy.??
I work with some 200 Spaniards and I have spoken with many of them who are amazed at the situation we find ourselves in. None have ever heard of such a state of affairs. They can only assume it is because we are a bunch of foreigners who are not conversant with Spanish Law.
There is a Law in Spain that protects the purchaser of almost anything, especially houses and flats. It is called "Publicidad Engañaso" or Falsa Publicidad. Do we need to ask why our Administrator has not explained this to us??? I think not we already know the reason.
I have spoken to my Agent who sold me my apartment, he is also an old friend and he has passed on two addresses of Lawyers who he says are entirely honest and trustworthy.
Diego J Garcia,
C/Notario Luis Olivier, 6,
Marbella,
Tel. 952.82.61.44
Fax. 952.82.77.01
the second one specialises in Comunidades
Eduardo Abril, Abril Abogados,
Calle Valentuñana, 2.3,
Marbella,
tel. 952.76.51.60
Fax. 952.77.99.23
Can someone down there please contact them and just ask their advice. No need to commit to a court case. Just ask one of them what is our position in law "El Pulicidad Engañaso". The cost would, I am sure, be minimal for an unbiased opinion of our status. Shared amongst most of us it would be peanuts, certainly much less than putting a pistola in the holster of a night guard. Or paying for our own Turfing and kiddies pool.
I cannot understand why Proibinsa are digging their heels in on the kiddies pool. The cost of a small fibreglass knee deep splash pool sunk in amongst the sprouting Hedgehogs would be minimal compared to the amount of goodwill that they would generate within the Selwo community. A very short sighted stance in my opinion, unless of course there is some hidden reason that has not yet come to the knowledge of the none committee members.
I have also taken the responsibility of registering and hosting a web-page for us as owners of apartments in Selwo Hills. I hope to have it up and running within a few days. It will have its own forum and we can communicate privately within our own web-page. Those of us that have access to the Internet that is. It would appear from the present Expats Forum that there are only about a dozen of us with this facility. Which isn't many out of a total of 110 owners. Perhaps it will grow. We have to spread the word and advertise the Web-Page.
I had hoped that the Administrator would accept this responsibility as someone had requested from her much earlier, but my expectations from her are diminishing at an exponential rate.
Consequently I decided to do it myself and I have also borne the initial set up costs. I am no expert and if someone more skilled or experienced than I would like to assist I would make them more than welcome.
Well that's about all I have to say for the moment except ....
Please, Please, please will someone locally approach one of the above Lawyers for some unbiased advice.
Many thanks for taking the time to read all these rantings, I do sincerly hope we can get a grip of the situation very soon.
Very Best Regards one and all.
Roy & Marilyn Leon
Apto. 602
[email protected]
We are still very disappointed at the lack of action with the pools and especially with the delaying tactics by Proibinsa. Yes we say tactics because we firmly believe that is the game they are playing.
If the committee will accept the responsibiliy of the grounds from Proibinsa as they now stand, I will guarantee that Proibinsa would have the Pool License presented to the Estepona council, signed sealed and delivered faster than you could say Jack Robinson.
So until we tow their line and sign for the responsibility of the grounds we have to endure the turbid state of the pools.
OR........we could consult an independent Lawyer who would give us an unbiased opinion of the situation.
We have to consider that our Administrator was presented to us by Proibinsa and she is hardly likely to bite the hand that feeds her.
She has never answered my e-mail to her, but I believe she has told someone that she has written to Proibinsa about the lack of a childrens pool, but has received no response. Well isn't that a surprise!! and what a lot of effort it must have been to write that letter. Has anyone ever seen a copy.??
I work with some 200 Spaniards and I have spoken with many of them who are amazed at the situation we find ourselves in. None have ever heard of such a state of affairs. They can only assume it is because we are a bunch of foreigners who are not conversant with Spanish Law.
There is a Law in Spain that protects the purchaser of almost anything, especially houses and flats. It is called "Publicidad Engañaso" or Falsa Publicidad. Do we need to ask why our Administrator has not explained this to us??? I think not we already know the reason.
I have spoken to my Agent who sold me my apartment, he is also an old friend and he has passed on two addresses of Lawyers who he says are entirely honest and trustworthy.
Diego J Garcia,
C/Notario Luis Olivier, 6,
Marbella,
Tel. 952.82.61.44
Fax. 952.82.77.01
the second one specialises in Comunidades
Eduardo Abril, Abril Abogados,
Calle Valentuñana, 2.3,
Marbella,
tel. 952.76.51.60
Fax. 952.77.99.23
Can someone down there please contact them and just ask their advice. No need to commit to a court case. Just ask one of them what is our position in law "El Pulicidad Engañaso". The cost would, I am sure, be minimal for an unbiased opinion of our status. Shared amongst most of us it would be peanuts, certainly much less than putting a pistola in the holster of a night guard. Or paying for our own Turfing and kiddies pool.
I cannot understand why Proibinsa are digging their heels in on the kiddies pool. The cost of a small fibreglass knee deep splash pool sunk in amongst the sprouting Hedgehogs would be minimal compared to the amount of goodwill that they would generate within the Selwo community. A very short sighted stance in my opinion, unless of course there is some hidden reason that has not yet come to the knowledge of the none committee members.
I have also taken the responsibility of registering and hosting a web-page for us as owners of apartments in Selwo Hills. I hope to have it up and running within a few days. It will have its own forum and we can communicate privately within our own web-page. Those of us that have access to the Internet that is. It would appear from the present Expats Forum that there are only about a dozen of us with this facility. Which isn't many out of a total of 110 owners. Perhaps it will grow. We have to spread the word and advertise the Web-Page.
I had hoped that the Administrator would accept this responsibility as someone had requested from her much earlier, but my expectations from her are diminishing at an exponential rate.
Consequently I decided to do it myself and I have also borne the initial set up costs. I am no expert and if someone more skilled or experienced than I would like to assist I would make them more than welcome.
Well that's about all I have to say for the moment except ....
Please, Please, please will someone locally approach one of the above Lawyers for some unbiased advice.
Many thanks for taking the time to read all these rantings, I do sincerly hope we can get a grip of the situation very soon.
Very Best Regards one and all.
Roy & Marilyn Leon
Apto. 602
[email protected]
Aug 18th 2004, 3:03 pm
#70
Just Joined
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5
Re: Selwo Hills, Costa del Sol?
Hi
I own an apartment at Selwo Hills.
In answer to your query, Selwo Hills seems a great development and is truly good value for money. There are pending issues with regards to the grounds and swimming pool that need sorting. Hopefully this will be dealt with soon.
I own an apartment at Selwo Hills.
In answer to your query, Selwo Hills seems a great development and is truly good value for money. There are pending issues with regards to the grounds and swimming pool that need sorting. Hopefully this will be dealt with soon.
Originally Posted by ttbr2004
Just wondering.....
we are in the process of purchasing an apartment in Selwo Hills and wondered if there is anyone out there who is also currently in the process of purchasing an apartment on the same development?
If so, we wondered whether you are pleased with the quality of the work in the apartment and what do you think of the grounds?
We really would like to chat to any of our future neighbours in Spain. It would be great to hear from you.
Thanks
we are in the process of purchasing an apartment in Selwo Hills and wondered if there is anyone out there who is also currently in the process of purchasing an apartment on the same development?
If so, we wondered whether you are pleased with the quality of the work in the apartment and what do you think of the grounds?
We really would like to chat to any of our future neighbours in Spain. It would be great to hear from you.
Thanks
Aug 18th 2004, 3:05 pm
#71
Just Joined
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 10
Re: Selwo Hills, Costa del Sol?
Pete & Roy,
Thanks for keeping us in touch with what is happening. I have contacted another couple to encourage them to look at this site and ultimately Roy's - thanks for your efforts Roy.
The complete lack of official news is irritating - not even the minutes of the meeting on 9 July.
I am reluctant to offer to pay for the pools especially at a price of e100K for 2 small pools before we have had a formal response to the community from proibinsa. Or have we had one but no-one knows about it? If we are to
pay for them let's seek our own quotes.
We were told that the pool licenece could not be issued until the community was set up which it has been. Why can we not apply for the licence ? What is Proibinsa's role? Similarly why can we not say the pools will be used as soon as we have the licence? The idea of waiting until 2005 is absurd.
While conscious that the work will fall on others we will contribute to getting a legal view to establish why we cannot get the pool and lift licences which we thought were a formality if others think that is the best way forward. Does anyone know Tommy's e-mail as he seems the person to do this.
jude mclaggan
Thanks for keeping us in touch with what is happening. I have contacted another couple to encourage them to look at this site and ultimately Roy's - thanks for your efforts Roy.
The complete lack of official news is irritating - not even the minutes of the meeting on 9 July.
I am reluctant to offer to pay for the pools especially at a price of e100K for 2 small pools before we have had a formal response to the community from proibinsa. Or have we had one but no-one knows about it? If we are to
pay for them let's seek our own quotes.
We were told that the pool licenece could not be issued until the community was set up which it has been. Why can we not apply for the licence ? What is Proibinsa's role? Similarly why can we not say the pools will be used as soon as we have the licence? The idea of waiting until 2005 is absurd.
While conscious that the work will fall on others we will contribute to getting a legal view to establish why we cannot get the pool and lift licences which we thought were a formality if others think that is the best way forward. Does anyone know Tommy's e-mail as he seems the person to do this.
jude mclaggan
Aug 19th 2004, 9:04 am
#72
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 27
Re: Selwo Hills, Costa del Sol?
Hi all,
I have finally received a reply from MarÃa Alvarez Planell and I thought you might be interested in reading it:
"Dear Mr. Long :
I´m sorry for not to have sent you a reply before, but I´ve been trying to
solve the problems of the Urbanization before, just to be able to tell you
that the problem of the pool and and the garden is solved, but the promoter
hasn´t solved them yet.
I sent a fax asking them for their responsability, and also the President
wrote them a letter ungry with all these problems, but we are still wainting
for their reply. And these days, we are trying them to solve this, but it
looks impossible.
So, I will continue talking with them and trying to solve this, because I
understand you and I want everything to be all right.
And about the minutes of the meeting, 2 days ago I sent it by post
certificate to all the owner, so, you will receive it very soon.
Yours sincerely,
MarÃa Alvarez Planell"
I have finally received a reply from MarÃa Alvarez Planell and I thought you might be interested in reading it:
"Dear Mr. Long :
I´m sorry for not to have sent you a reply before, but I´ve been trying to
solve the problems of the Urbanization before, just to be able to tell you
that the problem of the pool and and the garden is solved, but the promoter
hasn´t solved them yet.
I sent a fax asking them for their responsability, and also the President
wrote them a letter ungry with all these problems, but we are still wainting
for their reply. And these days, we are trying them to solve this, but it
looks impossible.
So, I will continue talking with them and trying to solve this, because I
understand you and I want everything to be all right.
And about the minutes of the meeting, 2 days ago I sent it by post
certificate to all the owner, so, you will receive it very soon.
Yours sincerely,
MarÃa Alvarez Planell"
Aug 20th 2004, 11:19 am
#73
Just Joined
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3
Re: Selwo Hills, Costa del Sol?
Originally Posted by ttbr2004
Just wondering.....
we are in the process of purchasing an apartment in Selwo Hills and wondered if there is anyone out there who is also currently in the process of purchasing an apartment on the same development?
If so, we wondered whether you are pleased with the quality of the work in the apartment and what do you think of the grounds?
We really would like to chat to any of our future neighbours in Spain. It would be great to hear from you.
Thanks
we are in the process of purchasing an apartment in Selwo Hills and wondered if there is anyone out there who is also currently in the process of purchasing an apartment on the same development?
If so, we wondered whether you are pleased with the quality of the work in the apartment and what do you think of the grounds?
We really would like to chat to any of our future neighbours in Spain. It would be great to hear from you.
Thanks
Aug 20th 2004, 1:14 pm
#74
Just Joined
Joined: Jul 2004
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 16
Re: Selwo Hills, Costa del Sol?
Originally Posted by jenny thornton
don't know selwo hills area - we are going to nerja oct 04 to april o5 and looking to speak with ex-pats in same area. any idea?
Just as a taster, between Nerja and Gibralter there are hundreds of thousands of ex-pats.
Nerja is a long way from Selwo, relatively speaking. Selwo is between Marbella and Estepona.
Good luck in Nerja.
Cheers
Roy leon
Aug 20th 2004, 10:39 pm
#75
Just Joined
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 10
Re: Selwo Hills, Costa del Sol?
We received an identical e-mail to the one included above from the administrator . So I expect many more will be landing.
jude mclaggan
jude mclaggan